More on Choosing a Key

From the “Audition Tips” for University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre:

“Do not try to sing too high or too loudly. An enormous number of applicants present songs in keys that are too high for them to show themselves at their best vocally. Volume and range can be explored separately if the faculty has questions.”

It’s not “cheating” to alter the key of a song, so you can deliver it 100% of the time. While belting is an extremely energized sound, it is NOT singing at the top of your lungs. “Too loudly” or “too high” is “too” much.